ARC Middle School Summer Science Academy

Applications for Summer 2019 have closed. Please check back in January 2020 for applications for Summer 2020.

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), in collaboration with ORAU in Oak Ridge, Tenn., presents a one-week, residential, hands-on science academy focusing on math, science, and technology for middle school students in July.

The ARC/ORAU Summer Science Academy is a unique opportunity for students to work in collaborative teams with experienced teachers to utilize current technology to answer a research question. Students work in three specific teams during the one-week academy, with each team comprising 8-9 students. The team approach provides an opportunity to collaboratively tackle a specific research topic and investigate it using a hands-on, inquiry-based approach.

See what the Summer Science Academy is all about!

Participants

A group of 26 students from throughout Appalachia will be selected to participate in a hands-on learning program that will focus on the application of math and science principles in various research areas. The participants will be housed at a hotel in Oak Ridge, Tenn., near ORAU facilities. Students will be chaperoned 24 hours a day by experienced teachers. All major expenses, including meals, lodging, transportation to and from the participant’s home, and local transportation, will be covered for participants.

Participants will tour research facilities, use a variety of technologies to solve problems in the ORAU Center for Science Education classroom, and participate in field trips to nearby industries, research facilities, and museums. Students also participate in cultural field trips. Field trips will illustrate the applications of math and science in the real world and provide participants with opportunities to learn more about Appalachia and its unique characteristics.

2018

First Name

Last Name

City, State

Acker

Leah

Moundville, AL

Bender

Chase

Accident, MD

Carter

Tristen

Tuskegee, AL

Cole

Taylor

Notasluga, AL

Collins

Charles

Sneedville, TN

Desmore

Dominic

Fairview, PA

Fox

Aavyn

Fairview, PA

Frazier

Alexis

Tuskegee, AL

Geary

Serena

Cuba, NY

Grote

Austin

Beattyville, KY

Holiday

Makenna

Accident, MD

Kerr

Justin

Cuba, NY

Ledford

Baker

Elk Park, NC

Malfaro

Ariella

Accident, MD

Marion

Bradley

Radford, VA

Matthes

Tyler

Waverly, OH

Maust

Sophia

Accident, MD

Moore

Jeremiah

Wurtland, KY

Morris

Summer

Norris, TN

Nodine

Joseph

Central, SC

Perando

Jeremy

Accident, MD

Ramirez

Samuel

Morganton, NC

Ratliff

George

Waverly, OH

Summerville

Solomon

Moundville, AL

White

Kierra

Richlands, VA

Wood

Lauren

Clintwood, VA

Xiong

Geensia

Valdese, NC

2017

First Name

Last Name

City, State

Wesley

Adkisson

Harriman, TN

Gavin

Awtrey

Franklin, NC

Belle

Beckner

Clemson, SC

Holden

Bullock

Sylva, NC

Madyson

Cahill

Londonderry, OH

James

Click

War, WV

Lily

Cronrath

Arden, NC

David

Cyphers

Raysal, WV

Isabel

Elias

Cana, VA

Allison

Garmon

Six Mile, SC

Rylan

Griffin

Holly Pond, AL

Kasper

Heitman

West Valley, NY

Morgan

Hinkle

Beattyville, KY

Makenze

Hurtubise

West Valley, NY

Ziah

Kennedy

Black Mountain, NC

Dawson

Landrum

Goshen, VA

Simon

Melton

Black Mountain, NC

Kailee

Moore

Ray, OH

Joseph

Nodine

Central, SC

Sadie

Shapiro

South Abington Township, PA

William

Shields

Franklin, NC

John Paul

Shields

Clarks Summit, PA

Avery

Tate

Tupelo, MS

Anthony

Tipton

Irvine, KY

Celia

Torres Lopez

Cana, VA

Sidney

Vass

Knoxville, TN

2016

2016 Participants

First Name

Last Name

City, State

Ambriana

Carlisle

York, AL

Xavier

Carlisle

York, AL

Zacheriah

Christie

Liberty, SC

Gavin

Dondzila

Stubenville, OH

Jaylen

Gambrell

Williamsburg, KY

Ellie

Harper

Frankfort, OH

Virginia

Haverty

Chloe, WV

EmmaLee

Holloway

Liberty, SC

Hunter

Jones

Lizemore, WV

Alysha

Kotkowski

Liberty, SC

Caleb

Marsh

Cortland, NY

Brandon

Martin

Cortland, NY

Jonah

Mathieson

Mt. Vision, NY

Samuel

Matrisciano

Winona, MS

Emily

McFarland

Tazewell, VA

Logan

Pachulski

Jim Thorpe, PA

Courtney

Phillips

Oakwood, VA

Charles

Pirnat

Roaming Shores, OH

Peter

Sawyer

Asheville, NC

Abigail

Shaffer

Cortland, NY

Anabeth

Sharpe

Williamsburg, KY

Austin

Velez

Albrightsville, PA

Emma

Walden

Pioneer, TN

William

Weathers

Winona, MS

Katelyn

Williams

Akron, AL

2015

2015 Participants

First Name

Last Name

City, State

Michelle

Adkins

Griffithsville, WV

Sandtanner

Anthony

Notasulga, AL

Stephen

Bias

Andrews, NC

Randy

Boyer

Calhoun, GA

Wesley

Conklin

Greentown, PA

Elizabeth

Cooper

Harriman, TN

Luis

Correa-Colon

Jamestown, NY

Nicolas

Craven

Corinth, MS

Summer

Dracup

Jamestown, NY

Larkin

Gardiner

Water Valley, MS

Aaron

Gillespie

Liberty, SC

Ta'Nia

Hawkins

Water Valley, MS

Zachary

Kushubar

Campobello, SC

Joshua

Loomis

Jamestown, NY

Austin

Malin

Andrews, NC

Bobbi

Moore

Chatsworth, GA

Glendon

Peaden

Decatur, TN

Mary

Raymundo Bautista

Chatsworth, GA

Gabrielle

Rue

Landrum, SC

Kaya

Ryner

Hawley, PA

Anthony

Seevers

Marietta, OH

Emma

Stamper

Morehead, KY

Reece

Yost

Tazewell, VA

2014

2014 Participants

First Name

Last Name

City, State

Ally

Aiken

Mount Vision, NY

Josh

Albert

Damascus, VA

Travett

Boughman

Millersburg, OH

Jordan

Buice

Dawsonville, GA

Melissa

Campbell

Morristown, TN

Megan

Clark

Laurens, NY

Alayna

Collins

Gamaliel, KY

Nick

Corbitt

Knoxville, TN

Sparkle

Cummings

Dahlonega, GA

Chase

Ellis-Wilds

Killbuck, OH

Sydney

Enderle

Booneville, MS

James

Fair

Liberty, SC

Allyson

Graves

Tompkinsville, KY

Chantel

Kennedy

Pilgrim Knob, VA

Kyle

Landolfi

Hawley, PA

Lauryn

Lewis

Akron, AL

Mallory

Pruitt

Gaffney, SC

April

Schuppenhauer

Bradford, PA

Nathan

Smith

Knoxville, TN

Tysheena

Thomas

Akron, AL

Janel

Troiani

Liberty, SC

Brandon

Vega- Monrroy

Easley, SC

ARC/ORAU Middle School Summer Science Academy Projects

Students are divided into three research groups 3D printing, coding/drones and forensics. Each group is composed of 8-9 students. The groups research their particular topic, build models, collect and analyze data, conduct competitions, learn to collaborate, and write and present their results at final presentations at the conclusion of the week. The program combines technology, data collection and analysis, hands-on experimentation, research field trips, guest speakers, scientific notebooks, WebQuests, tours, and cultural activities.

3D Printing

Over the course of the week, students learn the basics and application of 3D modeling and additive manufacturing. Once students understand the basics of 3D modeling and printing, they are given a problem and use the engineering design process to come up with a creative solution that they model, print, and test. During the week, they have the opportunity to hear from scientists from ORNL’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility and visit 3Dimension Designs to learn about how additive manufacturing is making its way in the workforce.

Forensics

Taking on the role of a forensic scientist, students learn to collect and analyze evidence using several different scientific methods. The group is posed with an unsolved case along with the chance to collect forensic evidence. They crack the case by using finger print, hair, blood and chromatography evidence, as well as an analysis of unknown substances left at the crime scene. Students hear from a representative with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation about what it’s like to work in a forensic chemistry lab. They also go to the Alcatraz Crime Museum to participate in a hands-on, forensic experience.

Coding/Drones

Students spend the week learning to code through the use of drones. Using the Tynker app, they learn the basics of coding with both block code and JavaScript. Equipped with the knowledge of writing code, students complete several challenges by coding their drones to do specific movements, and finally, write their own drone/coding challenge. Chuck Roberts of ORNL comes to speak to the group about how he uses drones in his work. Students are also able to meet with Ed Dumas from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who gives them a drone flying demonstration to show how he collects and analyzes weather data in the atmosphere using drones.

Academy curriculum

The Academy curriculum is developed by area Master Teachers utilizing national and state science standards, area scientific expertise, and best practices in education. The Master Teachers also arrange tours, speakers and competitions, and assume primary teaching responsibilities for content delivery, hands-on experimentation, data collection, data analysis and final presentations. Three resident teachers typically assist with the curriculum presentation and daily student explorations and research.

In addition to the science activities, each day will include group sessions where students will be given the opportunity to apply what they have learned from the day’s events. This builds a better understanding of the day’s science activities and allows students to apply their knowledge in a hands on approach to science.

The week culminates with final presentations where each group presented their work and findings to an audience of ARC, ORNL, ORAU dignitaries, parents, and friends.

Photo Gallery

2018

2017

Contact

For additional information or if you have questions about the ARC/ORNL Middle School Summer Science Academy, please contact Chris Nelson, (865) 241-9899 or ARC-MS@orau.org.

About ORAU

Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) provides innovative scientific and technical solutions to advance national priorities in science, education, security and health. Through specialized teams of experts, unique laboratory capabilities and access to a consortium of more than 100 major Ph.D.-granting institutions, ORAU works with federal, state, local and commercial customers to advance national priorities and serve the public interest.